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**** Pathfinder Society GM. 44 posts (101 including aliases). No reviews. No lists. No wishlists. 25 Organized Play characters. 1 alias.


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Grand Lodge 4/5

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Hilary Moon Murphy wrote:
Overly judgemental gnome?! Pffft.

I only say this with the most respect, Hilary. :D Just as much as my avatar looks like Morgan Freeman enjoying the heck out of some pirate cosplay, yours looks like a gnomish venture captain that just sits there, staring at the adventuring party when they ask her a question during the mission briefing that's really...out there.

"So you're wanting to ask me if there is going to be trees in the forest of ultimate doom? Hmm."

Seriously though, it took me forever to piece together that your signature is your initials.

Grand Lodge 4/5

3 people marked this as a favorite.
Tineke Bolleman wrote:
nosig wrote:
Andy Brown wrote:

Some people love to run games, and therefore collect stars.

Some people run games mostly to make sure that games happen (hi), and get fewer stars.
Some people don't want to run games (for all sorts of reasons), and so don't get any stars.

The only thing the stars tell you is how many games somebody has run, except for #5, which should be an indication that they know what they're doing well enough not to spoil a game.

However, there are some 5-stars I won't sit at a table with (even if they aren't running), due to either personality incompatibilities or disagreement over how the rules work.

And knowledge of one system doesn't always carry over to a different system; sometimes that's worse when the systems are similar (hands up all those who still get mixed up between D&D 3.5 and Pathfinder)

raises hand...
raises hand too

I still hear people ask for spot checks.

------
One of the things that I notice, having played the majority of my PFS online, is how many people pop up in our dischord channel's LFG chat, just looking for a game. By it's very nature, finding someone who wants to GM just for the love of GMing a game is very rare.

Originally, I starting GMing for my static online group because nobody else wanted to run it. There's alot more to GMing online than there is for GMing in person. I feel like I can whip up a map IRL, have a stat block, and be good to go. Online, not so much. I prep macros for my NPCs to try and minimize the interruption to game flow. I go out of my way to find interesting pictures for NPCs that aren't just taken from the bestiary, since I know at least 2 of my players have been around the block a few times, and can probably guess monsters just based on the pictures. I do dynamic lighting on my maps, to help my players get involved in the game more. I go out of my way to find hilarious memes to post on my splash screen of a starter page to give my players a chuckle. All in all, it usually takes me about a week to make a single scenario ready for gameplay (taking into account being a full time college student and part time worker).

This involvement of time also means that I have less time to play than I would normally like. Looking back at my chronicles, I have way too many characters, and the majority of the chronicle sheets are from GM credit. I have a 15th level character that I've played maybe 5 times.

Now, I GM because I enjoy it. I love reading the behind the scenes action, and helping my players flesh out their characters. Im touched by some of the actions that they've done. Sure, I may be gaming vicariously through my PCs. What GM doesn't?

I swear, this is the end of my rant. >_< Hilary, my GM stars mean more to my players than they mean to me. They show that I was willing to take (from their perspective) 5-10 hours out of my week to make a few hours of their time a little more enjoyable. None of them read the forums, so I know they'll never read this, and probably will never know the truth about how long it takes to set up a table (nobody's ever asked at least). One of my players has a huge social media fanbase, and you should see how she brags to her friends about her barbarian Barb. One of my other players, whos favorite character has the cooking profession as a dayjob, spends time in-scenario finding out what each exotic location has for new ingredients, and serves the party at his next mission briefing a local delicacy from the last place they adventured. They, and others, are the reason why I gm so much, and thus the reason why I currently have 4 stars.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a bonekeep table to prep. :D

Grand Lodge 4/5

1 person marked this as a favorite.

here's a little copy and paste from my reply to the blog post, since it feels like here's the official spot to voice the opinion.

Option 2 Doesn't sound horrible. It also doesn't sound too...well, for lack of a proper term, Overpowered. Let's be realistic, it's going to take some time for GM's to get up off the ground and get back in the saddle. I don't envision me hitting 4 or 5 glyphs that quickly, and maybe a little boost would be helpful in reaching that end road. Probably not even within the first year, to be honest. If option 2 seems to hard to implement (let's be frank, Paizo.com doesn't have the best track records with coding, especially when it comes to PFS), then option 3 would be my second choice.

Overly Judgemental Gnome said wrote:
However... ultimately I want what is good for the campaign. Although the thought of starting over made me horribly upset, I’ve calmed down some. If you think it’s best for the longterm health of the campaign to make a clean start, then that’s what I’ll choose.

I can see Hilary's gnome jumping up on a table and making a rowdy, ruckus of a room go quiet with her stare alone as she says this. How's this. I will voluntarily go with option 1 if and only if one of the in text venture captains gives mission briefings by guilting adventuring party's into going on missions by giving them a look. :D

Grand Lodge

I noticed that when I got my other 4-star gm scenarios, that I had received a good portion of what I was supposed to get, but I had missed out on a few scenarios, listed below. I do have access to everything else I'm supposed to (Bonekeep level 1 and 2, Serpents Rise, and Serpents Ire).

Pathfinder Society Special: Ruins of Bonekeep—Level 3: The Wakening Tomb
Pathfinder Society Scenario #7–99: Through Maelstrom Rift (PFRPG)

Thanks for the help.

Grand Lodge 4/5

GM Stars
Option 2 Doesn't sound horrible. It also doesn't sound too...well, for lack of a proper term, Overpowered. Let's be realistic, it's going to take some time for GM's to get up off the ground and get back in the saddle. I don't envision me hitting 4 or 5 glyphs that quickly, and maybe a little boost would be helpful in reaching that end road. Probably not even within the first year, to be honest. If option 2 seems to hard to implement (let's be frank, Paizo.com doesn't have the best track records with coding, especially when it comes to PFS), then option 3 would be my second choice.

Character Rebuilds
Blah. I don't even want to begin thinking of the headache required to rebuild alot of my favorite characters into 2e. I can't imagine that I'm alone, and the people who would probably have the easiest time would be the core players. Just sayin'. I am completely OK with my 1e characters staying sepperate from my 2e characters, though I would love to have the option to let one of my characters from 1e give mission briefings, if appropriate of course.

1st Edition Boons
It really feels like you've been watching the boards closely on these, as I've seen some of these ideas pop up there. I like the idea of options 3 and 4. To be honest, I've already given some away as it stands, since I'd rather someone enjoy them now, rather than run the risk of having them worth nothing when 2e comes out. However, if it's known that options 2-4 are on the table, even possibly as front runers, it might be worth it for people to hold onto those boons. Otherwise, if option 1 is the case, i feel sorry for anyone that just got their first tiefling or aasimar.

Replays
I could see a combination of options 2 and 3 getting you alot of good will from people who love pathfinder, play pathfinder society, but don't have the funds available to go all in on 2e right out of the gate. Personally, I would love to see Option 2 hit the table, and I think that would give alot of players incentive to have one last hurrah. I'd probably see a lot more tables of Bonekeep, Ruby Phoenix tournament, etc.

Earning Playtest Credit
I've already let my static group know that I fully intend on participating in the playtest, and if they want, I want to run doomsday dawn for them. I've gotten good vibes from everyone about it, but what tickled me pink the most is this - a few of my players in 1E flat out refuse to play spellcasters, mostly because even though they've been playing 1e for a few years now, there are just so many options for spellcasters (of any type, take your pick) that it can be overwhelming. One of those players is looking forward to playing an arcane caster for the playtest. That, in and of itself, I consider a win.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Pirate Rob wrote:

PFS used to have a huge wealth disparity from playing up vs playing down.

Out of tier gold significantly reduced this problem but there we're still weird gold optimization issues like always applying GM module credit to characters at the bottom end of the range,

Rather than having the gold be determined by the scenario just have a charge in the guide to organize play based on your level...

For every xp earned while at level x, gain y gold

1 : 500
2 : 750
3 : 1000

etc. Or however much generated appropriate wbl.

All this assumes that WBL works basically the same as PF1 although given the notes on magic items this may not be true.

I dig this. I can't tell you how much I dig this. I mean, sure, the table will probably have to be adjusted for 2e's WBL, but w/ all the talk of them shifting towards tighter tiers, there's not going to be that weird Out of Tier math.

As someone who's 5th level gunslinger recently was on the receiving end of a breath of life spell from a 9th level cleric (and also summarily adopted the faith of Cayden Cailean), I'm not going to say that those playing out of their subtier don't earn that extra gold. All I'm saying is that your suggestion simplifies it greatly, and i completely endorse it.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Sebastian Hirsch wrote:
NightTrace wrote:
Kurald Galain wrote:
a handful of vanities that nobody ever takes require a 10 or 20 fame, or something?
As a player with a Knight-Captain Gray Corsair Tiller character I feel personally targeted right now. ;)

I recently bought ALL the Sovereign Court vanities and the character is really happy about all of them... he is wearing a lof of bling for a hunter and his best skills are Diplomacy and Bluff with CHA 10.

Losing them or something similar would not be my first choice, I think that factions have become better and better (love the current Sovereign Court story).

Also, Pasha Cutya, Mistress of Trade would like to say something about that. Vanities are awesome, and they're just that...meant to show off accomplishments, because heck you made it this far, why not?

Grand Lodge 4/5

I'm a big fan of the 3xp/level deal. It's not hard to figure out what level you are just by doing a little bit of simple math. This, I feel, is one of the "not broke, don't fix it" things of pfs 1e.

I would love a set of modular evergreens to take people through that's about factions. Heck, I'd even dig a module if that's what it came down to. Call it a collection of quests - do all 9, you get a wayfinder, a little bit of gold in your pocket, and a healthy appreciation for what all of the factions are about, what they require from you, and what they can do for you.

As of the moment, I've got maybe a character or two in dark archive, and that's strictly based off of what the faction journal cards give me as a reward for doing them. Do I know anything about the Dark Archive, above and beyond what's printed in the Roleplaying Guild Guide? Nope. I'm assuming they're a little dark and a little archive-y. About 2/3 of my static group dont even bother choosing a faction, because they don't know anything about them. I think a scenario/group of quests/module just about the factions would be a great boon for roleplayers in general, and the society in specific.

Thrawn, you're hawkin' that 4 xp/scenario deal like you already got it trademarked and you're lookin to get a nickel every time someone levels, man :D I admit, your idea has merits, and I do feel like in the long run a similar system to that could have some benefits, but let's be realistic. 1 xp scenario/3 xp for module/ x xp for a quest (who knows, cause nobody plays them) is easy to remember and easy to implement.

Grand Lodge 4/5

I do like the idea of what's supposed to happen with chronicle sheets as laid out currently in the roleplaying guild guide. I do it for all of my players (whether they're in my static group or not), and I make sure to give myself enough time to get chronicle sheets done, whether I get player approval to do it the next morning over coffee, or immediately in the case of conventions. The fact that I do them ensures that they get done correctly. You'd be surprised at how many players i've seen that are horrible at math, which leads to incorrect chronicle sheets, which leads to audits. I'd rather do the extra time to do chronicle sheets properly than have to do a full audit right before game time. I'm also glad that roll20 (the site we play at) can add numbers to dice and give the answer for you. Yes, that bad.

With that in mind, if the language on chronicle sheets (and dealing with them) is changed going forward into 2e, even if it's just as simple of a change of "the gm's only fill out what's in the gm boxes", I would *love* a heads up, so that I can start preparing my static group for that eventuality.

Perhaps another overhaul to the reporting end of the website is in order. If we went full digital (or perhaps half digital with this being a backup), then players could print chronicle sheets directly from the paizo website, thus eliminating the (albeit minor) problem of lost chronicle sheets. This allows the gm to input into the system how much each experience each player earned, how much prestige was gained, and how much gold was given out, with perhaps a checkbox if the player received out of tier.

I believe there has to be a status we can reach that's just as beneficial for the players as it is for the gm's, regardless of whether it's in person or online; at home, a store, or a convention.

Grand Lodge 4/5

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Judgmental Gnome Hmm said wrote:
My issues with this is that we would run into issues over what is a public and what is a private game. It can be murky, especially when it comes to the world of online play. I'd rather not kick over that barrel of lemurs if I can avoid it.

I completely agree. I run a privately public/publicly private set of games (core of 4/5 static players, w/ a pug for a 5th or 6th if they/I feel like they need it) and this just feels...awkward to say the least? It would be a loooooong time before i got my second star, thank you very much. :D

On an aside note, have there been any word of paizo converting dungeons over from 1e to 2e? Some of my players have been asking to do emerald spire again, "even if it's just for funsies". I'd love to give them a reason to delve it again.

Edit: I feel like it pertains here, because that dungeon helped me jump up in stars in the first place. :D

Grand Lodge 4/5

@Gerard, but they ever so slightly are different for online play.

Roleplaying Guild Guide said wrote:

Step 1: Hand each of the players a blank Chronicle sheet and ask them to fll out the sections marked A–G, J, K, and P (Character Chronicle #, Advancement Track,

Player Name, Starting XP, Initial Fame, Initial Prestige, Starting GP, etc.). When they’re done entering this information from their past Chronicle sheets, have them return the documents to you.

That's how it's supposed to be done for all chronicle sheets, according to the roleplaying guild guide. However, since it's a little hard for online players to be handed a chronicle sheet for them to fill out and then turn around and give back to a gm, it's expected for a GM to fill out everything themselves. They're supposed to get *all* of the pertinent information before the game, completely fill out the chronicle sheet, and then give it to the player. It's also been said numerous times by our online leadership that it's how it's supposed to be done. The problem being that since this turns a 3 minute exercise into a half hour chore, most GM's online just fill out the xp, prestige, and gold gained boxes, initial/sign, and fill out the gm info boxes at the bottom. Every player then gets a copy of this incomplete chronicle sheet.

That's the reason why I would like that little addendum to the roleplaying guild guide going into 2e. Heck, I'd like it in the roleplaying guild guide v10. Even if the line only said "The chronicle sheets must be filled out in this way, regardless if it's in person, online, etc."

Grand Lodge

I'm also (still) having issues with the spoiler button, on google chrome Version 65.0.3325.181 (Official Build) (64-bit).

Grand Lodge 4/5

I want to apologize before hand. I have a tendency to ramble when I talk, and that has a tendency to migrate to my writing. I'll try to keep it somewhat brief, and in my defense, what I have written below has already been edited for length. :D

With our current system, how I understand that it's supposed to be done is that the GM hands the PC a blank chronicle sheet. They fill out pertinent information (player name, PC name, initial xp initial fame, etc.) and makes valid choices (if applicable) on the chronicle sheet (ie you have a choice between x boon and y boon. choose one, cross out the other). The gm then initials, signs, dot's I's, crosses t's, etc, and hands it back to the player. I understand that time constraints don't always make this system work out, but I understand the need for it.

I do alot (if not most) of my GMing online. Jessie has brought it up a couple of times that all online GM's are supposed to be completely filling out chronicle sheets for their players. Since you can't really expect them to fill out a .pdf or .jpg file and send it back to you, us online GM's are expected to just fill everything out then initial/sign. I see some GM's gather that information, and I see even fewer of those GM's actually do so. I've come to the feeling that I'm spoiling my players by doing so. I have some players that have strictly only played...well, they get lost and come to me for help when a gm sends them a blank chronicle sheet with only the experience, prestige, and gold earned.

What I would like to see about chronicle sheets going forward is that there is a codified way of doing chronicle sheets that sets them apart from 1e, to sort of force GM's into learning how to do it correctly, however correctly is done in 2e's system. I do enjoy having space to write notes down on the chronicle sheet itself, especially if they're something that isn't a boon or isn't mechanical, but was somehow earned in the scenario/module and would be awesome to carry forward. I gm'd one PC who drank an entire church of cayden cailean under the table , and played in another game where due to in game reasons, a fellow pc came into the scenario a pale skinned halfling and came out essentially a smurf. Permanently. :D

As awesome as the loot tables for Halflight Path and Tome of Righteous Repose are at first glance, most of them are fluffy. I do appreciate the need for one consolidated chronicle sheet, and even rewarded for it on halflight path, one could think it would be better served for each of the different ...lets call them "branches" for each of those games would have been better served having their own chronicle sheet, and having more space on the chronicle, again for notes, detailed purchases, etc.

My biggest request though, is that however it is decided to move forward with chronicle sheets into 2nd edition, that the rules for filling them out for online play are explicitly laid out in the roleplaying guild guide, even if it's no more than "for online play, the rules for filling out a chronicle sheet are exactly the same as for an in person game" or something along those lines.

Grand Lodge 4/5

I know I don't have the history that alot of other 4 and 5 star gm's have. Heck, I probably don't have alot of the history that some 2 and 3 star gm's do. I got my 4 stars mostly from running a static group of friends through the emerald spire from top to bottom. I mostly play online, and because of that, alot of my cultivated friendships in PFS are online in nature. I do however keep tabs on my local meatspace peoples (except apparently for my venture captain, who i only "met" online recently). I was able to advertise our online presence to our local group, especially for newer players who had some questions. One of these local players became a regular fixture in GMing online. He did an entire campaign arc dealing with the Blackros family, sometimes even running the same scenario 2 or 3 times a week just to help other people get caught up. I believe he got to 3 stars just from all that.

He recently offered me all of his boons, because he decided to ragequit Pathfinder Society. He felt like all of his hard work had been for naught, and he decided to go back to console gaming. I told him that I would hold onto his boons for him, in case they decided to do something special with them come 2E. I wonder how many other people have similar stories of friends or other loved ones who've decided to do something similar, if not themselves?

Personally, this is my first foray into organized play. I have, however, been playing video games for a long, long time. I know what it's like to invest money into a system, get some enjoyment out of it, and then feel a little lost when they announce the second iteration of a series and then don't let you carry progress forward. Change sometimes requires a new foundation, and I for one, will continue to play pathfinder, probably both 1e and 2e, for as long as it'll let me.

As much as I would love to see some benefit from what I've previously given to pathfinder, a clean, level playing field would probably be what's best for the game as a whole. At the very most, possibly a scaling benefit based on the number of stars/games you've already hosted, but I do foresee everyone starting with no stars (or whatever they decide to use as credit). They won't remove our current stars, because of requirements for 1e (running scenarios and such). I know it's a harsh truth, but I do feel like it would be best for the campaign moving forward. When they release 3e in another 10 years, it'll probably happen again.

Grand Lodge 4/5

As someone relatively new to the 4 star scene (and doesn't envision getting a 5th before 2nd drops), I'm curious to see how this goes.

Perhaps a scaled down version of the current gm star boon? You only get to apply it to one character, and it gives you a bonus of some kind based on the number of stars you have. Perhaps not as powerful as the current one, but still something somewhat significant to show the effort you put in to get where you're at.

Another one of my curiosities is what will happen to our old boons? Will we be able to trade them in for some kind of effect? "Trade 5 old race boons for x effect" or something along those lines. I know I have at least a half dozen lying around waiting for opportunities that very well might not come to pass. If they're absolutely not going to be involved in 2nd edition in any way, shape, or form, I'm tempted to just give them away to players who might enjoy them at least for the time they have left.

Grand Lodge

OH. That makes alot of sense. Thank you much for the quick response.

Grand Lodge

I sent an email a few days ago, but my local VC suggested that I post online here in the forums rather than call or send another email.

Over this past weekend (January 26-28), I Gm'd a few games at TPKon, and got my 100th game. I know it's generally perceived as a slow process to get the scenarios released, but my static group was wondering when we were going to be playing our next games. The next game on my docket was planning on being Serpents Rise.

I was wondering if there is usually an expected wait time, realistically?

Thanks for any help.

Grand Lodge

kevin_video wrote:
I'd love to know how some people are supposed to fulfill the Adventure Card Game goal that a couple of factions have.

...by spending a prestige point. *grumble grumble*

Grand Lodge

Iammars wrote wrote:
Is there any chance that we can get the one page per faction setup that the other Seasons have had for the Season 9 cards?

Yeah, I'm over here trying to figure out the logistics and cost of printing out all of the journal cards, cutting them in half, and scanning them to make my own 1-pages. I keep digital copies of the faction journals and the one pagers have been a godsend.

Grand Lodge

Hey everyone! Just thought I'd post a little something to introduce myself. I'll be playing Raiyume Xiao, a human female fresh out of Tian Xia as a caravan guard. I've been playing with Thrawn for a while now, so he'll vouch for me.

I'll get my character squared away here in a little bit. Thanks for having me!

Grand Lodge

If this is going to be played in campaign mode, i would *definately* love to be considered. I'll be making a character mock up and i'll post it here at some point later today.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Also, a while back, paizo and humble bundle got together and did a charity donation deal...you donated money to charity, and depending on how much you donated, you got a bunch of books. I donated $18 and got...i want to say 15-16 rulebooks and a bunch of scenarios? They're all watermarked with your name/email at the top, so they're legal for play.

Chances are, if/when paizo and humble bundle do that again, they'll mention it here on their website. Also, used bookstores and garage sales work as well, if you're lucky enough to snag one there.

Grand Lodge

Pulg's the frontman of a chelaxian metal band, Iomedae's Peril. What most people don't realize is that actually isn't fur, that's just the most metal beard Golarion has ever seen.

Grand Lodge 4/5

TOZ wrote:
Inspired by does not necessitate exact copies thereof.

Point accepted and conceded.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Wei Ji the Learner wrote:
Blind Prophet wrote:
BigNorseWolf wrote:


the group here is planning a fantastic four elemental group.
I'm curious....since the others are kinda obvious, as far as race is concerned...What would Mr. Fantastic be? I can't think of any class that gives you extended range above and beyond say a few feats in specific conditions. As far as class...i'm torn between something bardic or perhaps a wizard. Meh. Lemme know how it turns out? I know begining of august my roll20 group wants to make a group of elemental-kin.
Aberrant Sorcerer bloodline

But...considering that aberrant sorcerer's aren't quite known for their necessity for intelligence, and Reed Richards *is* known for his intelligence as much as for his stretching ability...Meh?

Grand Lodge 4/5

BigNorseWolf wrote:
the group here is planning a fantastic four elemental group.

I'm curious....since the others are kinda obvious, as far as race is concerned...What would Mr. Fantastic be? I can't think of any class that gives you extended range above and beyond say a few feats in specific conditions. As far as class...i'm torn between something bardic or perhaps a wizard. Meh. Lemme know how it turns out? I know begining of august my roll20 group wants to make a group of elemental-kin.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Denbora Azzar wrote:
"I'll drink Natty Ice and then become the persistent, empowered, maximized, and perpetual Stinking Cloud generator."

...another one to add to the favorites list...Question...is that a threat, a promise, or a feat chain?

on a side note to the late conversation of gnominess, absalom's favorite cheap romance novelist may have just found some interesting source material. An evilish black horse that runs, nay gallops through random threads yelling freedom, engaging in a sparring duel with a dragon, over cheap slightly-alcoholic beverages...while someone leads a troop of mounted archers while humming. Awesomesauce. *scribbles notes* more?

Grand Lodge 4/5

John Compton said wrote:
At the start of Season 8 (effective August 4th, on the first day of Gen Con) we're adding four character races to the "always available" list: ifrit, oread, sylph, and undine. We are subtracting none from the list; there's neither a compelling in-game nor out-of-game reason to remove those options.

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks! :D

Grand Lodge 4/5

jon dehning said wrote:
...I was there so if you have any questions go ahead and ask. I'll try to answer them the best I can.

Ah. Well, that makes sense. TBH, i was looking for (no offense) something official to share with my group members. They're all relatively new to PFS, most of the party using xxxxxx-1 characters at roll20con, and a few of them were a little disapointed at race restrictions. I saw my nephews eyes light up when I told him *checks watch* 5 minutes ago that they were adding new races, but I didn't know specifically which ones were being included. Any information that you could give, as far as new races are concerned, that i could pass along to them, would be appreciated.

Grand Lodge 4/5

So...interesting. I guess I won't immediately have to apply GM credit to a couple of characters that would just immediately get backburnered. I *do* have a couple of characters that i feel are interesting...
- a nagajii samurai

who will be riding this spoiler:
an axebeak from the quest of perfection series. Cause why not have a snake dude wielding a katana riding a chocobo.

- a kitsune investigator, because hells bells, why not.

...but i'm glad that there's no sense of urgency in applying GM credit to say a tengu fighter just to have a tengu character..although i *was* thinking a tengu slayer dual wielding wakizashis. At least, not for another season. My question is, does anyone have a link to the q&a? my google-fu has failed me, and i can't find a copy. I'm sure my players would love to take a gander as well.

Grand Lodge 4/5

First and foremost, I apologize for the length of this post.

So...I'm running Reign of Winter in campaign mode on Roll20. Before I get to the nitty gritty of my specific question, here's some pertinent info. The modules in the adventure path's sanctioned content level as thus -

  • #67 - The Snows of Summer - Levels 1-2
  • #68 - The Shackled Hut - Levels 5-7
  • #69 - Maiden, Mother, Crone - Levels 8-10
  • #70 - The Frozen Stars - Levels 11-13
  • #71 - Rasputin Must Die! - Levels 13-15
  • #72 - The Witch Queen's Revenge - Levels 15-17

Also, hidden as a spoiler in case you really don't want to know,

Chronicle Boon:
Rider: You asked to become one of Baba Yaga’s Three Riders, and you must leave Golarion for a time to serve your new mistress before returning. You cannot play this character or apply credit to him until two years after the date on this Chronicle sheet. When the character returns, he is one of Baba Yaga’s Riders and can cast phantom steed at will (CL 13th). Furthermore, treat this boon as if it were two Mantle of the Black Rider boons for the prupose of calculating other Mantle of the Black Rider boons’ bonuses, even allowing those boons to exceed the +6 maximum bonus.

I rolled up a 1st level character specifically to attach all of the boons from this adventure path to. Now, the first module, I understand that I can apply the GM credit chronicle sheet to the character no problem, as the character is 1st level anyways (hasn't had any credit applied to her yet). That will instantly jump the character up to 2nd level (3 xp, 4 prestige). What about for the rest of the chronicle sheets? Would she have to be in a level appropriate range to have received the chronicle normally? For instance, in order to apply the 2nd chronicle sheet (requiring a level range of 5-7), would I have to have to do a mixture of 9 xp via playing and gming scenarios? The only reason why I ask this is because of the following.

Pathfinder Adventure Path: Reign of Winter (Rules and Chronicle Sheets) said wrote:
...Alternatively, if you are participating in the Reign of Winter Adventure Path with an ongoing group undertaking the entire, six-chapter campaign, you may receive credit for playing the sanctioned portions of the adventure as if you had played a pregenerated character...

and

Pathfinder Adventure Path: Reign of Winter (Rules and Chronicle Sheets) said wrote:
...All players receive a Chronicle sheet unless, at the GM’s discretion, they are replaying the Adventure Path for no credit. If a player uses an existing Pathfinder Society character for the adventure, he must apply the Chronicle sheet to that character immediately. A player who uses a pregenerated character must hold the Chronicle sheet until his character reaches the level of the pregenerated character...

vs.

Pathfinder Society Roleplaying Guild Guide (ver 7.0) said wrote:

If you play a 1st-level pregenerated character, you can apply the credit to a newly created character of your very own. If you play a non-1st-level pregenerated character, you choose one of your characters to assign the chronicle to at the end of adventure, and then apply the credit to your character as soon as she reaches the level of the pregenerated character played. You may not assign a Chronicle sheet earned with a pregenerated character to a character that was already at the level of the pregenerated character or higher. If you have multiple Chronicle sheets from pregenerated characters, they are applied to your character’s Chronicle sheet stack in the order played when your character reaches the appropriate level, even if this would advance your character several levels.

You may also opt instead to apply the Chronicle sheets earned with a non-1st-level pregenerated character to a 1st-level character with the amount of gp gained reduced, and any character specific boons earned must wait to be utilized until the character is of the same level as thesubtier on the Chronicle sheet unless otherwise noted. You do not lose access to any of the Prestige Points, or items listed on the Chronicle sheets that were earned during the adventure, but you do forego downtime.
In conclusion: My curiousity lies in whether
  • Option A - I can apply all of the chronicle sheets for the Reign of Winter adventure path to the same character immediately (essentially taking them from levels 1-7 instantly). If so, what's the reduced amount of gold this character would recieve per chronicle sheet? PFS Roleplaying Guild Guide doesn't give an exact amount. Would I have to wait till level 15 (minimum for the 6th chronicle sheet) in order to meet the "downside" of the spoiler-hid boon?
  • Option B - Do I have to have a stack of GM credit chronicle sheets to apply to this character, of appropriate level ranges, so that she can accept GM credit chronicle sheets from the adventure path as they become applicable?

Finally, so that I can explain it to my players appropriately, do they get the same options?

Grand Lodge 4/5

from secondary success requirements...

John Compton wrote:

...#3–14159: Death by Pie

Primary: The PCs recover at least three pastries and return them to Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch.
Secondary: The PCs use the cipher found in area B3 to learn the next five digits in the sequence: 2–[blueberry]–5–[rhubarb]–5, thus giving the society advance warning of a major attack on the Grand Lodge.

from Guide to Pathfinder Society Organized Play: Double-Take...

John Compton and/or Mike Brock wrote:
...Perhaps you thought Pathfinder Society Scenario #3–14159: Death by Pie was amazing when you played it the first time, but you are sad to have missed the opportunity to play it with your pastry totem barbarian who took the mathematical prodigy trait. You replay it for credit using one of your replay credits, and now you have one replay left.

Is there anyone else out there *really* interested in checking out this scenario? I mean, I understand *now* that it was a fake scenario, especially using Pi for the number in the sanctioned content list, but i'm a little sad that it jumps from "PFS Scenario #3-14: Wonders in the Weave—Part II: Snakes in the Fold" to "PFS Scenario #3-15: The Haunting of Hinojai". Anyone else notice this lack-of-pie-based-scenarios? Lol, tbh, I was looking for it so I could see what tiers it was so I could run my PFS group through it. I was hoping for a magical pie boon.

Grand Lodge 4/5

BigNorseWolf wrote:
...Thanks for dming, but PACE yourself.

Lol, yeah, i've thought about that too. When i say 6 times a month, we play the adventure path weekly; alternating between playing on friday and sunday nights to accommodate one of our players. On the weeks that we *do* play on sunday nights, those weeks we also play on the friday, but running PFS scenarios. Averages out to about 6 games a month.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Heya! Wasn't entirely too sure where to post this specifically, but anyone who has the experience to inform me, feel free to chime in.

Currently, I'm GMing on average about 6 games a month. 4 of which are part of a sanctioned adventure path (Reign of Winter), there other 2 games are various scenarios. Reading both the rules that are listed in the supplement for chronicle sheets for Reign of Winter, as well as the Guide to Organized Play, that if a PC is involved in the Adventure path, they can't be involved otherwise in organized play. Here's where things get murky.

The group that I'm running the adventure path through are using custom rules based characters (essentially pfs character creation rules with a looser interpretation of races allowed), and as far as applying credit rules are concerned, they're doing the equivalent of pre-generated characters. Does the rule of a character that's involved in a sanctioned module/adventure path not being allowed to play scenarios apply to this situation?

My interpretation is no. As long as the character was no higher than say 2nd level with 5 xp total, they can apply the credit from the first module Reign of Winter adventure path (levels 1-2). Then, for the second adventure module in the adventure path (levels 5-7), as long as they were within 15 to 23 xp (5th through 7th level), they could immediately apply credit from the second adventure. Any less, they would have to hold the chronicle sheet and apply it at 5th level. Any more, they would have to apply it to a second character. Am I wrong in this way of thinking?

Grand Lodge 4/5

Jesse Davis wrote:


...Then go to the convention session registration link here and register your game:

https://roll20con.net/con/register

NOTE: Make sure to list your game as "Pathfinder" in the "Playing" section of each session, and tag "PathfinderSociety" in the tags....

Is it enough to go to our normal game's page and click the checkbox next to roll20con event? I did that for my own pfs game that's about to kick off, but if i need to do a special page, I understand completely. My players may not enjoy it, but meh.

Quote:
GMs, once you create your session(s) on Roll20, please submit your game for convention support here...

The hyperlink sends you to a page w/ a graphic that says "Be Back Soon - Please check back". More as an fyi to anyone else trying to register beforehand, rather than specifically at Jessie. I was planning on doing the Quest for Perfection series for my group, but if there's a special con package, I could be persuaded elsewise.

Finally, I've never been to a convention before, so this may seem like a previously answered question. I was planning on running a table later on in the day (5pm pacific). If I play in a scenario that's running earlier, and apply the con boons to different characters, does that work out? Or do I only get one con boon regardless of it being gm credit or player credit?

Grand Lodge 4/5

Rosc wrote:
Thomas Graham wrote:

Best conjuration guy I know had a binder sorted spell.. performatted and templated in plastic binder sheets with a pen to wipe off hp from as he sent them flooding into killing everything he surveyed. Even had various forms of his eidolon planned out.

First encounter of EoTT? HE did his stuff faster than the fighter did..and he had like 6 Foo Lions running around eating goons.

That man is my hero. It makes me want to step up my game and upgrade from these stingy note cards.

Not PFS specific, but years ago I made a druid/sorcerer combo for a home game that specialized in summoning creatures. IIRC, it was Council of Thieves, and it was our first game after transitioning over from 3.5, so 3.5 feats/prestige classes were allowed as long as there wasn't something similar in pathfinder. I had augment summoning, and some other feats that worked with augment summoning as a chain (there's a feat from some splatbook that had augment summoning as a prereq and let it come in w/a buff spell you had prepared)...I had a binder full of each creature I could summon, already pre-augmented, and with what changes would be made by buff spells that i knew that would be likely to be used. Didn't go so far as to put them in sheets to mark HP (used note cards for that myself), but now i wish I would have.

Grand Lodge

So. Here's a little bit of preface... I've got a character in a new campaign. There are firearms allowed, and I'm playing an inquisitor with the Sanctified Slayer archetype, w/ the black powder inquisition.

At 1st level, I gain...
---------------------
Studied Target (Ex): At 1st level, a sanctified slayer gains the slayer's studied target class feature. She uses her inquisitor level as her effective slayer level to determine the effects of studied target.

This ability replaces judgment 1/day.
---------------------
Pretty nifty, huh? I thought so. I want to get to at least 5th level, to gain the bane ability for my firearms. Thinking ahead, I was taking at taking a couple of dip levels into something martially inclined to help beef up my bab and maybe get some fringe benefits. I took a look at possibly 2 slayer levels for 6th/7th...and they gain studied target. Would my effective slayer level from inquisitor stack with my actual slayer level to determine effects?

Slightly associated question - Since I already have proficiency with firearms (a further moot point, as in the level of tech in this campaign setting, all firearms are martial weapons anyways), would I need firearm training to get the grit rogue talent offered at 2nd level as a slayer? It'd save me a feat I was going to take anyways (amateur gunslinger w/quick clear, *praying* i dont get any huge misfires until then), and I get a bonus feat that's grit related that I have no idea what I'm going to blow on yet. Thoughts?

Grand Lodge

Heya! Quick question for those more informed.

I'm looking at making a Monk of the Empty Hand, and I'm planning ahead at feats I'd like to take. Rule of Cool, I'm sure I could convince my DM to let me take WF (Chair) and such, but i'd like to look at it from a RAW point of view, if I may.

I'm looking at feats like say...WF, Improved Critical, etc that require you to specify a weapon.
-----------------
Improved Critical (Combat):
Prerequisite: Proficient with weapon, base attack bonus +8.

Benefit: When using the weapon you selected, your threat range is doubled.

Special: You can gain Improved Critical multiple times. The effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new type of weapon.

This effect doesn't stack with any other effect that expands the threat range of a weapon.
-----------------
Since the monk of the empty hand only gets proficiency with shurikens and literally treats every other weapon as an improvised weapon...Well, I understand that it would literally break the game if I were able to take WF (Improvised Weapon) and Improved Critical (Improvised Weapon). Could I take WF (Chair)? If I can't, RAW, just take the feats with this specific class, is there a way I would be able to?

The only reason why I would even bring this up, is because the State of Oregon recongizes Nike shoes to be deadly weapons, and a man got convicted to 100 years in jail for beating someone to death with them.
If you're interested in the story, it can be found at http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/pimp_convicted_of_stomping_customer

Grand Lodge 4/5

BigNorseWolf wrote:

It continues between scenarios normally because its permanent- the time between scenarios doesn't matter. But for your friend its NOT permanent, so it doesn't continue over.

At 7th level, you may allow another character to join in your study; both of you gain the full benefit of having read the book.

In the event that this character makes it to 15th, yes, I can see that if I gave a class on it, it would just be an in-scenario buff. I mean, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work, I completely understand. My gm can see both ends of the argument, and was wondering if anyone knew of an official ruling on this.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Nefreet wrote:

Your ally would only gain the benefit during the scenario that you read the tome or manual in.

Magical effects terminate at the end of a scenario, and there is an indeterminate amount of time between scenarios.

Understood, its just that my understanding of the revelation is that your ally would get the same benefits that you would from a tome...and it's my further understanding that tome inherent bonuses continue on between scenarios. Hence, my confusion.

Grand Lodge 4/5

Here's a quote from the oracle of Lore's revelation that I have a question about.

Whirlwind Lesson (Ex): You can quickly browse through a magical tome or manual, gaining its benefits with only a single 8-hour study session (rather than the usual 48 hours over a period of 6 days). At 7th level, you may allow another character to join in your study; both of you gain the full benefit of having read the book. At 15th level, you may share your whirlwind lesson with a number of characters equal to your oracle level. The benefits to you are permanent, whereas your students gain the tome or manual’s benefits for a number of days equal to your Charisma modifier but then forget what they have learned.

I have an Oracle of Lore, and although I'm a ways away from hitting 7th level, I have a habit of planning ahead. I've been scouring the forums as well as the additional resources page, and have not seen anything about this.

Let's say that my oracle of lore literally runs every scenario, 1st through 7th, with another party member. They become comrades, get comfortable working together, etc. If I were to purchase a tome, could I read him a story, granting him the benefits of the tome? I understand that at no point, can we go halfsies on a tome. I know that permanent buffs go away at the end of a scenario...are tomes included in this ruling?

Grand Lodge 4/5

After playing pathfinder and 3.5 for years now, I've decided to jump into the deep end and start playing some PFSOP.

I understand that in order to play certain races and class combinations, etc, I need the physical books and/or watermarked .pdf's. Not a problem.

I *did* however notice that I missed the deadline to be able to play a tiefling or an aasimar, though. Apparently now you need..something called a boon, granted from a chronicle card?

It's my understanding that chronicle cards are given after a scenario. Is there a specific way to get this boon? Are they randomly generated, or can I do a specific module or scenario to get these boons? or am I looking at this entirely wrong?

Thanks for any help and advice in advance.

Grand Lodge

First and foremost, if you're not familiar with the discovery, here's the text from the srd.

Balanced Summoning said wrote:

Benefit(s): You maintain balance by calling on opposing forces when summoning. Whenever you cast a summon monster spell, you can summon two creatures from a single list 1 or more levels lower than the level of the spell. The two creatures must have alignments that are opposite along at least one axis (chaotic and lawful or evil and good).

For example, if you cast summon monster III, you could summon a celestial wolf and a fiendish hyena from the 2nd-level list.

So, here's my question. When you're using this arcane discovery, does it essentially move down the possible summons, allowing me to summon double the amount?

Let's take a look at say...Summon Monster IV.

Summon Monster IV said wrote:
This spell functions like summon monster I, except that you can summon one creature from the 4th-level list, 1d3 creatures of the same kind from the 3rd-level list, or 1d4+1 creatures of the same kind from a lower-level list.

Essentially, without the discovery, you're looking at 1d4+1 creatures of the same kind from either the 1st or 2nd level list. Could this then, in essence, pull 1d4+1 creatures, twice, still following the rules for the discovery? Say...1d4+1 Fiendish Dire Rats and 1d4+1 Celestial Fire Beetles? I would even go so far as to argue that per the discovery, you would have to summon the same amount, ie 1d4+1 rolled once, and as per the example above, you'd summon that amount of Fiendish Dire Rats and Celestial Fire Beetles. Just my own opinion on that, though. I haven't been able to find any errata or other threads on this topic, though, and was thinking of using it in my own game.

Grand Lodge

Arengrey wrote:

I couldn't find the starting wealth for the advanced playtest classes, the Alchemist in particular. Where are these located?

I have no idea how many other people were looking for this...And I know you were specifically asking about the playtest version, but they're on page 26 of the Advanced Players Guide's official release. I looked all over the internet, but finally found it in the index. It's not even up on the SRD. Go figure. To save you some time..

Class Starting Wealth Average
Alchemist 3d6 × 10 gp 105 gp
Cavalier 5d6 × 10 gp 175 gp
Inquisitor 4d6 × 10 gp 140 gp
Oracle 3d6 × 10 gp 105 gp
Summoner 2d6 × 10 gp 70 gp
Witch 3d6 × 10 gp 105 gp

Figured this would help anyone who stumbled across it...It would have made my life easier >_<